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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DOH calls for comprehensive Covid-19 screening as new variants emerge

DOH calls for comprehensive Covid-19 screening as new variants emerge

Published May 27, 2024 07:46 am

The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday, May 27, confirmed that its Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) issued a memorandum directing all stations to conduct thorough screening at points of entry for arriving visitors originating from countries where new Covid variant incidents have been detected.

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The said DOH-BOQ memo, dated May 24, informed all quarantine stations and other concerned agencies of a heightened alert for Covid FLIRT variant.

"In light of this, all stations have been directed to conduct thorough screening at points of entry for arriving visitors originating from countries where Covid FLIRT incidents have been detected," the BOQ said in the memo.

"The general public should take basic health measures such as frequent hand washing, coughing etiquette, avoiding crowded situations, and getting in contact with people with flu-like symptoms," it added.

The order is detailed in Memorandum No. 2024-48, which directs the BOQ, under the directive of DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa, to conduct thorough screening for symptoms of Covid-19.

The new variant is a Covid strain that includes the KP.2 and KP.3 variations, which are part of newly discovered subvariants identified as "FLIRT," a novel virus spreading globally.

"They came from the JN.1 subvariant, which first became known in late 2023 and was responsible for this year's earlier increase in infections," the BOQ said.

Infectious disease expert Rontgene Solante, on May 23, said the public should not be alarmed by the new variant. He also explained that these new variants do not mean the infection will spread as it did in 2020 or 2021.

READ: Expert Allays Public Fears on New Covid Variants Under Monitoring

The health department further reminded the public to isolate themselves if they experience any symptoms.

It also advised avoiding misinformation and fake news and obtaining announcements only from verified DOH social media channels or mainstream media.

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